Perfecting paragraphs

There's a lot to learn about writing good paragraphs! You need to master different paragraph types and learn some techniques to make your paragraph flow smoothly. When you have grasped these ideas, you can work on the different types of paragraphs you may encounter in your subject-specific studies.

The topic sentence will let your reader know the purpose of the paragraph. This will vary according to the question you are exploring (e.g. describing, explaining, comparing, critically analysing). Paragraphs that have a specific job to do are called paragraph types.

Different paragraph types use sentence patterns and special linking words to get the message across (e.g. a comparison paragraph may need words like similar to, different from). If you learn these techniques for writing different paragraph types, it will help you to be flexible in your writing.

In a good paragraph, information is presented in a systematic way. There are many types of paragraphs that you will be required to develop in your essays. Following are five of the most common types that you need to recognise and master.

The topic sentence is a feature of paragraph structure. It is the firstand most general sentence in the paragraph. This sentencestates the subject and the controlling idea for the rest of the paragraph. The sentences that follow the topic sentenceprovide relevant evidence to support the point that is made in the topic sentence. Topic sentences, then, must be brief and to the point. (6 sentences)

Chronological order

Description

Argument & persuasion

Explanation

Compare & contrast

2.

The development of an assignment essay follows a number of sequenced steps. Firstly, you must analyse the question very carefully so that your essay answers the set question. Next, you should brainstorm the topic of the essay and seek out some relevant sources of information. Onceyou have a good grasp of the scope of the question, you should construct an essay plan that details your approach to answering the question. This plan is then followed by the development of a draft answer. Lastly, and most importantly, your written work must be refined by careful editing and proofreading. (6 sentences)

Chronological order

Description

Argument & persuasion

Explanation

Compare & contrast

3.

Academic reports and essays are similarin some ways and are different in others. They are similarbecause bothuse a formal academic style incorporating references and are written in paragraphs. Also, the writing of each type requires a high level of analytical thought with a correct and neat final presentation. The report is different from the essay because it usually presents information whereasthe essay focuses more on argument. They are stylistically differentin that the report uses numbered headings and dot points. These features are not usually encouraged in essays. Reports usually conclude with set of recommendations which is different froman essay conclusion. (7 sentences)

Chronological order

Description

Argument & persuasion

Explanation

Compare & contrast

4.

For students to understand writing, it is essential that they have an explicit understanding of topic sentences. Ifa topic sentence is well written (i.e. it is doing its job of summarising the paragraph), then it helps the writer to write clear and acceptable paragraphs. Additionally, a reader can use topic sentences to scan paragraphs for an overview of the meaning of whole articles and chapters of writing. Therefore, a precise understanding of the function of topic sentences opens up the world of academic writing and reading for the learner. (4 sentences)

Chronological order

Description

Argument & persuasion

Explanation

Compare & contrast

5.

Assignment writing as a method of assessment is only a fairly recent academic activity. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, most higher education assessment was dominantly oral. At the turn of the century, academic research became a popular activity, thus creating a writing culture. Up to the mid 1960s, most essay writing for assessment was done under exam conditions and mainly in Arts subjects. Setting assignment tasks has been a feature of university coursework since the 1960swhen the role of essays as assignments became recognised for its educational advantage. (5 sentences)

In a good paragraph, one sentence leads smoothly on to the next (text flow). There are three main techniques you can use to achieve this.

1. Repeat important words and phrases

2. Use pronoun reference (e.g the essay=it; the essays=they)

3. Using transitional words and phrases (information connectors e.g. firstly, however, as a result, although, finally).

Exercise 2: Text flow

Match the technique for text flow to the example.

1.

The topic sentence is a feature of paragraph structure. It is the first and most general sentence in the paragraph. This sentence states the subject and the controlling idea for the rest of the paragraph. The sentencesthat follow the topic sentence provide relevant evidence to support the point that is made in the topic sentence. Topic sentences, then, must be brief and relevant to the topic that is explored in the paragraph . (6 sentences)

Use transitional words and phrases

Use pronoun reference

Repeat important words and phrases

2a.

The topic sentence is a feature of paragraph structure. It is the first and most general sentence in the paragraph.

2b.

Academic reports and essays are similar in some ways. They both use a formal style incorporating references, and are written in paragraphs. These similarities mean that you can apply some of your essay writing style to your report writing.

Use transitional words and phrases

Use pronoun reference

Repeat important words and phrases

3.

The essay plan is then followed by the development of a draft answer. Lastly, and most importantly, your written work must be refined by careful editing and proofreading.